ENERGY ASSISTANCE
Provides assistance with payment of gas, electric and fuel bills.
This program normally runs from October through May.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Energy Assistance Program year for 2020 – 2021 will start November 4, 2020. We will only have mail-in applications this year. No face to face appointments.
All EAP benefits are not final until submitted to the utility vendor for payment. Benefit amounts are subject to change pending review by the local community action agency.
Even though you are getting help with your utility bills, EAP benefits will not cover them completely. So YOU must keep paying on your bills throughout the year
Once you are approved for EAP some utility companies are regulated by a state law that says you can not be disconnected from December 1st through March 15th. However, you may be disconnected before December 1st or after March 15th.
Weatherization services may help reduce your energy consumption. Ask what you can do to conserve energy and how the weatherization program might help you. Please read the inclosed Energy education paperwork to help reduce your bill as well.
You have the right to appeal the process or decision of your application.
Vanderburgh County Application Site
Application by mail-in only. You may still drop off paperwork at the dropbox or bring in paperwork to the front desk. The address is 401 SE 6th St. STE 001–Welborn Plaza. (former Welborn hospital).
CAPE entrance located on Cherry Street side of the building – Look for the red door. (812) 492-3928 or (812) 425-4241
Posey & Gibson Counties
Can pick up Mail-in applications in the Posey or Gibson counties offices:
1113 Main St. Mt. Vernon (812) 838-4839
115 N. Prince St. Princeton (812) 386-6576
Applications also available online at https://www.in.gov/ihcda/2329.htm
Energy Assistance Program runs from November 4, 2020, TO May 15, 2021
You will also need:
Social Security cards for all household members (no copies –can use social security office printout)
applicant’s photo id
All included in rent – Cape landlord affidavit filled out by the landlord.
The current utility bill must be in the name of household member age 18 years or older or landlord or power of attorney or have a utility affidavit filled out and an absent household member form.
All services are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, or status as a veteran
INCOME GUIDELINES
Total household income for the past 12 months must be at or below the following:
Number in Household Income
| 2019 – 2020 | EAP | Income | Guidelines |
| Household Size | 45% to 60% SMI | ||
| One Month | Three Months | Yearly | |
| 1 | 2,163 | 6,489 | $25,956 |
| 2 | 2,829 | 8,487 | $33,948 |
| 3 | 3,494 | 10,482 | $41,928 |
| 4 | 4,160 | 12,480 | $49,920 |
| 5 | 4,826 | 14,478 | $57,912 |
| 6 | 5,491 | 16,473 | $65,892 |
| 7 | 5,616 | 16,848 | $67,392 |
| 8 | 5,741 | 17,223 | $68,892 |
| 9 | 6,075 | 18,225 | $72,900 |
| Add’l Member add | $360 | $1,080 | 4,320 |
You must have proof of income or no income for all household members age 18 and over for the past 3 months, your utility bill with the account number, actual social security cards for all household members or Indiana real I.D. and the applicant’s photo id or your application can not be completed.
HOUSEHOLDS WITH ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED IN RENT DO QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM THIS YEAR.
Utility bill must be in the name of a current household member age 18 or older, the landlord or power of attorney or if you owe an old bill you can’t pay you can fill out a utility affidavit.
If a household member is 18 years of age and still in high school, you must provide a current letter stating attendance, a current class schedule or a current report card
EAP Program Guidlines
APPLICATION: All household members must be listed. Failure to include all persons living in your household is considered fraud. Fraud can result in a denial of assistance or repayment of any assistance received. Make sure to complete questions and sign & date the application.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER VERIFICATION: SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS FOR ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.
If you cannot provide your social security card, the following documents may be used along with a government issued photo ID:
Family Demographic (Office of Family and Children)
Military or Government Identification or Benefit Statement
W-2’s (For social security number purposes only)
A birth confirmation letter from the hospital may be used for children under 1 that do not have a social security card yet.
DRIVER’S LICENSE/PICTURE ID: A State-issued photo ID for the applicant.
VETERAN: Please provide documentation such as a DD Form 214 or Veteran’s Administration Identification Card (VIC).
INCOME INFORMATION: all adults in the household 18 and older must provide proof of income.
WAGE INQUIRY (WorkOne required only if you are getting unemployment)
Forms of income
Please provide your most recent pay-stub.
Please provide your final pay-stub if you have worked within the last 5 months and are no longer employed with that employer.
Social Security Benefits (SSI, SSDI, SSD, SSA) /VA PENSION/VETERAN’S BENEFIT
Current Award Letter: Must be dated within the current year. An award letter dated over a year old will not be accepted.
Current Bank Statement: Statement must clearly show “United States Treasury deposit” and whom it belongs to. The bank statement cannot be marked out for any reason.
Pension: Most Recent Check Stub OR Current Pension Award Letter
Self Employed: Completed IRS form 1040 page 1 & 2, Schedule C page 1 & 2 and SE if applies for previous tax year
ZERO INCOME VERIFICATION AFFIDAVIT/CASH INCOME: If anyone in the household has had 1 month and/or more of no income, this form must be filled out. One form per each household member.
HOUSING INFORMATION:
Rent: Anyone who has utilities included in their rent will have to have a landlord affidavit filled out.
All Landlord affidavits must be completed by the Landlord.
UTILITY BILLS:
Current Electric Statement (The Lower Portion of the Bill that you mail back to the vendor will not be accepted.)
Current Complete Gas Statement.
Current LP/Oil Invoice *The invoice must show name, vendor name, acct #, service address, budget billing.*
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION:
As each application is case by case, additional documentation may be requested.
ANY missing information may delay decisions regarding your eligibility and benefit amount. Your application will be processed as it is recieved. Failure to provide required documents may result in delay or denial of your application.
What can you use for verification of income?
Last Check Stub – You need your last check stub if you have been employed full time at the same job for the past 3 months –otherwise, you need to sign a zero income form to go along with your check stub.
WorkOne Wage Printout is required when you are collecting unemployment. (All wage printouts are pull-through Cape)
Zero income form must be signed if you have not been at your job for the past 3 months.
Workman’s comp or short term disability check stubs for workman’s comp and a work one-wage printout if you drew workman’s comp or disability during the past 3 months
Social security award letter if you draw social security, disability or SSI you need your 2018 award letter, printout or a 2018 direct deposit bank statement with the recipient’s name on it.
Pension or veteran’s benefits 2018 award letter or printouts
TANF and Child Support are not counted
Self employed tax forms filed during for current year
You will also need:
- Social Security cards for all household members (no copies –can use social security office printout)
- applicant’s photo id
- All included in rent – Cape landlord affidavit filled out by landlord.
- Current utility bill must be in the name of household member age 18 years or older or landlord or power of attorney
- All services are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, or status as a veteran